Israel Gaza conflict

Written declaration No. 789 | Doc. 15914 | 25 January 2024

Signatories:

Ms Hannah BARDELL, United Kingdom, NR ; Ms Laura CASTEL, Spain, UEL ; Ms Sevilay ÇELENK ÖZEN, Türkiye, UEL ; Mr Jeremy CORBYN, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Adnan DIBRANI, Sweden, SOC ; Mr Emmanuel FERNANDES, France, UEL ; Mr Paul GAVAN, Ireland, UEL ; Lord Leslie GRIFFITHS, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Andrej HUNKO, Germany, UEL ; Mr Christophe LACROIX, Belgium, SOC ; Mr Kristoffer LINDBERG, Sweden, SOC ; Mr Marco NICOLINI, San Marino, UEL ; Mr Joseph O'REILLY, Ireland, EPP/CD ; Ms Kate OSBORNE, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Berdan ÖZTÜRK, Türkiye, UEL ; Mr Thomas PRINGLE, Ireland, UEL ; Ms Azadeh ROJHAN, Sweden, SOC ; Mr Tommy SHEPPARD, United Kingdom, NR ; Ms Anne STAMBACH-TERRENOIR, France, UEL ; Mr Robert TROY, Ireland, ALDE

This written declaration does not reflect the position of the Assembly; only of those members that have signed it. It will not be considered further by the Assembly.

We, the undersigned, declare the following:

The Hamas attacks against the State of Israel on 7 October 2023 were barbaric and unjustifiable. We call for the immediate release of all hostages.

Israelis and Palestinians have a right to live in peace and security. The mass killing of civilians in Gaza must stop. We urge all Council of Europe member States to follow in the footsteps of the Scottish Government, the United Nation’s Secretary General and many others in calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Gaza is in crisis. With over 25 000 people dead, 132 hostages still in captivity and many of Gaza’s population on the brink of starvation, now is the time to act. Israel must agree to the establishment of more safe and secure routes for aid deliveries.

Refugee schemes, like the United Kingdom’s Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, should be prioritised. To be effective and conform to international law, they must include a clear pathway for a right of return for any Palestinian.

We reaffirm that a credible and lasting peace will only be sustainable through a two-State solution and urge all member States to support this. This is vital for both the ending of this conflict and for wider regional peace in the Middle East.